Charlotte "Char" Jean Aldera Beaudry (-2008)
BEAUDRY, ALDERA, MCKINNEY, PLOEGER, LARSON, BROWN, LORENTZ
Posted By: Ames Tribune
Date: 12/24/2008 at 21:16:52
THE AMES TRIBUNE, Ames, Story County, Iowa, Wednesday, December 24, 2008.
The family and friends of Charlotte "Char" Jean Aldera Beaudry will be celebrating her life in a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 27, 2008, at St. Cecilia Catholic Church in Ames. Visitation will be from 4:30 to 7 p.m., with a prayer service at 7 p.m., Friday, Dec. 26, at St. Cecilia Catholic Church.
The youngest daughter of Ned and Lu Aldera, Char graduated from Jefferson High School before attending Clarke College in Dubuque and St. Joseph's College of Nursing in Omaha, Neb., and working for Bell Telephone in Omaha. Her life's passion was refined, though, taking her in a different direction when she met Bernard "Bernie" Beaudry.
Her priorities in life became her family and her faith when she and Bernie were married June 1, 1957, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Jefferson, by her uncle, Father John L. Aldera.
Char, wife, mother of seven, grandmother of 19 and friend to all, is remembered as loving, understanding, always kind, compassionate and generous, leading a life of Christian love and acceptance. The home she created was welcoming, warm and full of laughter. Knowing her was a blessing. She was a second mother for the neighborhood children with a ready listening ear, patience and a warm meal if needed. She always demonstrated an interest in others and remembered the special details of their lives.
Her love, compassion and passion for life extended beyond the simple walls of her home as she pursued involvement in the community, volunteered for Homeward Hospice and participated in studies at Iowa State University promoting senior health. She also loved living an active life with walking, golfing, water aerobics and hosting social events and bridge.
Her life was a model of devotion. A faithful member of the St. Cecilia Catholic Church in Ames, she shared her time and talent on the school's Board of Education, the Bereavement Committee and was a constant presence at daily mass.
She and Bernie enjoyed his retirement and their life together. They were blessed with a large and loving family. Precious memories include their visits to out-of-state children and their families, traveling abroad to the Holy Land and other European countries and to our national wonders. They also enjoyed being "snow birds" in Arizona. They equally enjoyed their time at home in Iowa attending their children and grandchildren's events.
She was 74 years old and leading a warm and vital life until the sudden onset of illness Dec. 17. She died at home with her family gathered around her bed in view of the Christmas tree, surrounding her with love, praying and singing hymns until she joined her Father in heaven.
She leaves a beautiful legacy. Her living example has instilled in others the values of honesty, integrity, gratitude and empathy, and has enabled us to live fully, thus, embracing great joy for her life and great sorrow with her passing.
She is survived by her husband of 51 years, Bernie Beaudry; seven children, Ed Beaudry and his wife, Nancy, of Corvallis, Ore., Mary and her husband, Jeff McKinney, of Tipton, Margaret and her husband, Jeff Ploeger, of Denison, Brian Beaudry, of Denver, Colo., Dan Beaudry and his wife, Mary Beth, of Baltimore, Lori and her husband, Lance Larson, of Cedar Rapids, and Steve Beaudry and his wife, Michelle, of Minneapolis; 19 grandchildren; and two sisters, Dee Brown, of Oklahoma City, and Terri Lorentz, of Dallas.
Memorials may be made to St. Cecilia's Church, 2900 Hoover Ave., Ames, IA, 50010; or Youth's First Stop for Help, 9666 93rd Ave. North, Osseo, MN, 55369.
Stevens Memorial Chapel is assisting the family.
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